Issuu

N ov e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 6 | Fo r s y t h H e r a l d . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 1 9 , N o . 4 7

Happy Thanksgiving! Editor Hatcher Hurd reminds us to remember each other ►►Page 8

Sharon Forks Library renovation Space to double ►►Page 4

Eagle’s Beak Park breaks ground

Will include canoe and kayak launch ►►Page 10

Empty Nest Sponsored section ►►page 18 KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Various Forsyth County Schools officials, City of Cumming councilmembers, Forsyth County commissioners, construction workers and other dignitaries break ground Nov. 17 on the Alliance Academy for Innovation.

Education expands in Forsyth

This rendering shows the front of the Alliance Academy.

The Alliance Academy for Innovation will be a college and career academy for 9th through 12th graders looking to study more in the fields of criminal justice, healthcare and first responders, mechatronics and logistics, energy and aviation, and hospitality and design. Read more, Pages 6 – 7.

Basketball season tips off Previews for all Forsyth boys and girls teams ►►Page 20

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Public Safety

2 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

770-442-3278 | ForsythHerald.com 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009 PUBLISHER Ray Appen EDITORIAL QUESTIONS: Alpharetta-Roswell: ex. 118 Forsyth Herald: ex. 143 Johns Creek Herald: ex. 121 Milton Herald: ex. 143 Business Post: ex. 116 Northside Woman: ex. 102

Chickens missing, owner blames dogs FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A man called the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 6 after two of his chickens went missing from his home on Antioch Road. He told deputies he saw two dogs running off with chickens in their mouths. He said he was missing three chickens valued at $50 each and one chicken was injured. He had never seen the dogs before and didn’t know who they belonged to. The deputy inspected the chicken coop and was unable to

Police Blotter

TO SUBMIT EDITORIAL:

her shoot at the dog and took his paintball gun to her house because he was scared of her with her real gun. The man said he would make sure the dog stayed on his property.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A woman shooting near a dog almost caused a gun fight Nov. 15. The 52-year-old woman called the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a neighbor dispute. She said she was pulling into her driveway when a neighbor’s dog started running

toward her. When she got out of the car and started yelling, the dog would not run away. That’s when she took out her handgun and reportedly shot the ground so the dog would run away. However the dog apparently didn’t leave until a neighbor called it back home. After a few minutes, the 27-year-old neighbor then came over to the woman’s house with a gun in his hand. The woman said the neighbor was yelling about the dog. She asked him if the gun was real, to which he allegedly replied, “Do you want me to pop you with it and see if it’s real?” He then left and went back to his home. The deputy spoke with the neighbor who said it’s a good dog and no one complains about it. He said he watched

DUIs & Drugs

►► Linda E. Sirbaugh, 62, of Hutchinson

Bald Ridge Marina Road in Cumming for possession of marijuana and speeding. ►► Nathan Dylan Tull, 43, of Pierce Road, Gainesville, was arrested Nov. 13 on Quail Trail in Gainesville for possession of heroin and possession of drug related items. ►► Margaret Tressa Morgan, 48, of Village Court, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 8 on Buford Dam Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines, no insurance, expired tag, and giving false information. ►► Anthony Steven Sheets, 33, of Doc Bramblett Road, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 16 on Keith Bridge Road in Cumming for possession of methamphetamines.

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

News: news@appenmediagroup.com Press Releases: NewsLink.NorthFulton.com Calendar/Events: NorthFulton.com/Calendar ADVERTISING QUESTIONS:

Dog almost causes gun fight

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DUI arrests ►► Lucas Donald Hallworth, 31, of Visit AppenMediaGroup.com for more information. The Herald Newspapers are published by Appen Media Group, 319 N. Main Street, Alpharetta Ga. 30009.

find where the dogs got in. He did see feathers on the ground around the coop but was unable to see where the dogs went. While driving around the area, he saw two dogs a few houses down the street that fit the description. Both wore collars for an invisible fence. As he approached, neither dog left the yard, and he spotted no blood on their fur. No one was home. An email was sent to animal control to be on the lookout for the dogs.

Christopher Lane, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 16 on Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming for DUI, driving in a gore, and wrong way on a one way street. ►► Sami Ziad Abdullahi, 26, of Belcrest Way, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 11 on Atlanta Highway in Cumming for DUI and defective tires.

Road, Cumming, was arrested Nov. 11 on Lakeland Plaza in Cumming for DUI and following too close. ►► Lewis Pearce Yaussy, 24, of Dogwood Circle, Buford, was arrested Nov. 16 on Ga. 400 in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane, and expired license. ►► Kenneth Wayne Fanning, 46, of Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested Nov. 12 on Buford Highway in Cumming for DUI, failure to maintain lane, and wrong way on a one way street.

Drug arrests ►► Amy Elizabeth Smith, 47, of Big

Canoe, Jasper, was arrested Nov. 14 on

Man tried to start riot FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A deputy was notified of several social media posts calling for a riot recently. The deputy saw several posts on Twitter asking people to meet him Nov. 14 at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office to riot. He also asked people to bring tear gas to defend themselves. He listed his phone number for contact.

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4 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

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NEWS

Sharon Forks Library under renovation Facility will nearly double in size By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia’s busiest library is getting a makeover. A groundbreaking ceremony for upcoming renovations was held Nov. 14 at the county’s Sharon Forks Library. This branch originally opened in 2000 as the county’s second library location. Of the four branches in the library system currently, Sharon Forks is the smallest in terms of square footage. However it is the busiest not only in the county, but in the state. According to data from Georgia Public Library Service, patrons of the Sharon Forks Library checked out 984,291 physical materials in fiscal year 2015. That’s nearly 300,000 more books, magazines, CDs and DVDs than the second place library branch in the state for circulation. This could be due in part to the fact that the surrounding area has seen a 100 percent increase in population since the branch opened 16 years ago. Residents’ usage has grown even faster over the same period. The number of patrons visiting the Sharon Forks branch have increased by 300 percent. In fact, the Sharon Forks Library lends more materials than any other library in Georgia, regardless of size. For the fiscal year that ended June 30, this branch alone had over one million checkouts. “With so many Forsyth residents using the Sharon Forks Library, it became clear to voters that an expansion would

When construction is complete, the Sharon Forks Library will be nearly double its current size. be necessary and $2.8 million for construction was pledged in SPLOST VII,” said Library Director Anna Lyle. Forsyth County Impact Fees will provide $2.1 million for construction and a State of Georgia Construction Grant will deliver an additional $2 million that will allow for a comprehensive expansion. When construction is complete in just over a year, the library will be nearly double its current size adding 18,000 square feet. First, the new expansion portion of the building will be built. The library will move its existing services and materials into the new portion of the facility while the current facility is renovated. Finally, the new furnishings, equipment and materials will be installed throughout the whole facility and the outdoor landscaping and parking lots will be completed. During the planning process, Lyle

said surveys were conducted and the input was received from patrons, staff and volunteers to learn which features should be prioritized. The finished facility will include a larger meeting room for programs and community use, additional parking, a dedicated teen room, six new study rooms, a Hot Spot similar to the one at the Post Road Library, a larger Friends Bookstore and an automated drive-thru book return. Throughout the renovations, Lyle said staff and contractors will be “working diligently to minimize disruptions to library services.” The library will keep patrons informed about progress on the project at forsythpl.org/sharonforks. Patrons can expect to see photos of the work in progress, as well as updates about upcoming phases of construction and how it might affect services, access to materials and hours of operation.

County approves pact with Cherokee for fire services Agreement will cover both counties in emergency situations By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — In the case of an emergency when Forsyth County fire services can’t reach the incident, Cherokee County fire services will now step in. The arrangement was approved Nov. 17 in the form of a mutual aid agreement by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. County Attorney Ken Jarrard,

Also at the meeting: • The board approved the 2017 budget. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2fbYlWO • Commissioners approved enacting a 30-day emergency moratorium on acceptance of applications for permits to upgrade non-conforming signs to electronic message boards. whose firm also represents Cherokee, said “This is not unlike other mutual aid agreements we’ve done with other jurisdictions. If we need them, we call them and we have all of this done in

advance so we do not have to make up these agreements on the fly. If they need us, they can call us.” As this is standard, Jarrard said most jurisdictions approve these agreements. Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman agreed. “This is a perfect example of two independent county governments working for the public good,” Bowman said. “In this agreement Cherokee County fire will initially respond to emergencies in a small portion of Forsyth County until our apparatus arrives on the scene. Such is the case with Forsyth County answering emergencies in a small portion of Cherokee. It is quite frankly, the right thing to do.”

NEWS

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 5

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Historical Society of Forsyth County

New shelving is installed at the Historical Society this summer by John Salter and Jimmy McConnell.

Historical Society expanding Group will take over two more rooms By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Historical Society will soon be expanding its space. The Cumming City Council unanimously approved a lease agreement Nov. 15 that allows the group to take over an additional room in the Cumming Public School. That room was previously occupied by the Bell Research Center for Southern Genealogical Research which is moving to the building next to the Sinclair Gas Station in downtown Cumming. Both groups have been in this location since 2004.

The historical society is a non-profit organization founded to educate the public, encourage historic research, protect historic buildings and sites, and to preserve the cultural heritage of Forsyth County. Co-president Martha McConnell said the group had run out of space in its original room. This will expand the group’s vast collection into multiple areas. “We have received several big donations, and we are packed full,” she said. “We’re always getting donations so we need room to house those.” This expansion will help the society continue providing the history of the county to its citizens, she said. “Citizens love the county,” McConnell said. “They are very happy with it. People love living here.” To learn more about the society, visit historicforsyth.com. CDAR Member SWIFT Code: GMCBUS3A

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6 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

SCHOOLS

Community breaks ground on Alliance Academy for Innovation New school serves as college and career academy By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s groundbreaking new school, the Alliance Academy for Innovation, officially broke ground Nov. 17. A large group of community leaders gathered to kick off the college and career academy, which is set to open in Aug. 2018. The school is located at 1100 Lanier 400 Parkway off Ga. 400. The school will serve up to 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12 in a “creative and innovative environment,” according to Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden. This campus will provide secondary, post-secondary and continuing education for individuals, organizations, small businesses and corporations, along with financial literacy and business ethics training for middle and high school students. The career development opportunities will not duplicate career pathways at existing high schools but will focus on high-demand, high-growth occupations in the region, allowing students to work in simulated environments of

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business and industry, earn industry credentials and college credit. The career programs include schools of: criminal justice; healthcare and first responders; mechatronics and logistics; energy and aviation; and hospitality and design. From the beginning of this project, Bearden said he has seen many partnerships form, including agreements with the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College which will provide programs and the option for dual enrollment. North Georgia’s President Bonita Jacobs said the synergy that will develop from the partnership will be “truly remarkable to behold.” “Forsyth County Schools are genuinely unique and proficient,” she said. “We are always happy to partnership with Forsyth County. This project is amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves.” The city of Cumming is a partner by providing land, and the Forsyth County government lends its Public Facilities Authority which approved the academy and $20 million in funding for the project in Sept. 2015. The Forsyth County

KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden explains what the new school will provide.

Board of Education approved a $3.1 million contract March 17 to buy the 23 acres from the city of Cumming. “It’s something like I’ve never seen before,” Bearden said. “The entire community has really rallied behind this.”

Another unique aspect of the school will be the Junior Achievement Discovery Center. This will be a middle school field trip of sorts that will focus on financial education, Bearden said. They will first spend 15 weeks with the curriculum at their schools, then come to the center. Students will come into a simulated work environment for the day and will be given a scenario and have to figure it out bills, expenses, incomes and how to manage their money. “It’ll be a school within a school,” Bearden said. “We see it as an opportunity for our middle school students to see the academy and if that’s something they might want to experience.” Bearden said the school will not only serve students, but the business community as well. There will be business partnerships through the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce that will help provide not only finical support, but real world experience for students. James McCoy, president of the chamber, said this has been in the works for over 10 years. “We look all the time at communities

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 7

Alliance Academy principal named

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By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County’s Alliance Academy for Innovation, a college and career academy opening in Aug. 2018, now has a principal. Brandi Cannizzaro, currently assistant principal at Lambert High School, will assume the duties of principal of the new school on July 1, 2017. Groundbreaking for the school, located at 1100 Lanier 400 Parkway off Ga. 400, took place Nov. 17. “It is an honor to be named principal of Alliance Academy,” she said. “I look forward to the work ahead as we open Alliance and provide innovative pathways for students to own their future in college, career and life.” Cannizzaro began her career as a math teacher in DeKalb County, later transferring to Gwinnet County. She has worked in the high school setting since 1997 in the roles of math teacher, International Baccalaureate coordinator, administrative assistant and assistant principal. Since 2004 she has worked for Forsyth County Schools at both South Forsyth High School and Lambert. Her special interests in the Career, Technical and Agriculture Education programs at the high school level will come in handy when the academy opens. Alliance Academy is described as a workforce development campus offer-

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Brandi Cannizzaro is the new principal of the Alliance Academy for Innovation, opening next year.

ACT1 Theater is located inside nside Alpharetta Presbyterian Church 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

ing a unique curriculum for students. The facility will serve up to 1,200 9th through 12th graders and provide secondary and continuing education for individuals, organizations, small businesses and corporations. The facility is located centrally in the county in the city of Cumming, and will have programs in partnership with the University of North Georgia and Lanier Technical College, as well as dual enrollment available. The career programs include schools of criminal justice; healthcare and first responders; mechatronics and logistics; energy and aviation; and hospitality and design. In September 2015, the Forsyth County Public Facilities Authority approved $20 million in funding for the project. The Forsyth County Board of Education approved a $3.1 million contract March 17 to buy the 23 acres from the city of Cumming.

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8 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

OPINION

When internet connection Thanksgiving: A day for replaces human interaction families to remember families If I had a dollar for every time I was misunderstood, I’d have as much money as Donald Trump. Communication occurs when the message is received; the impact James carr of my voice hitting Guest Columnist news@appenmediagroup.com your ears, or, in this case, your eyes reading these words. But there’s a difference between communication and successful communication: just because you read my words, doesn’t mean you understand what I’m trying to say. As writers, this is why we write a draft, delete the whole thing, re-write it, wish we’d kept the third paragraph after all, and then, most importantly, send it to an editor. From there, several rounds of edits may occur, plus a copy edit, until all parties more or less agree that the intended message is coming across. As you know, this process is not foolproof. The truth is, successful communication is difficult, and it becomes exponentially more difficult as the distance between the sender and the receiver increases. I tested this theory as a student of “Advanced Interpersonal Communication” for a group project at the University of Georgia in 2009. In the study, we asked couples how often they communicated face-to-face, via the phone, text message, email and social media. Then we asked questions about relational satisfaction. Would you be surprised to learn that couples with the highest levels of satisfaction in their relationship rarely communicated via social media? In fact, the further away from face-toface communication couples were on average, the lower their overall satisfaction. That’s largely because the reaction

of the receiver gives the sender cues about the success of their message. If I write, “Donald Trump is a racist,” I can’t see you wince, roll your eyes or turn the page. In person, recognizing these cues, I might say, “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just find it incredibly sad that his language is now being used around the country to target minorities and that people feel scared for their well-being.” At that point, we can hug and take comfort that the people around us have big hearts. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, intention only goes so far. Because communication only occurs when the message is received, the literal impact of that message is the communication. In light of a bitter election, we magnify this problem by commenting on supporters of either campaign, protestors and others who are scared or angry via social media. We cannot understand them. And we will not understand them until we reduce the distance between us. Unless you are there to correct or soften the impact of communication, a wound will remain. It will intensify the reaction and whittle away at the possibility that the sender could ever possibly have good intentions in the mind of the receiver. That’s where you come in. Donald Trump will never be able to meet with every person and explain his intentions on the campaign trail, nor will people get the opportunity to explain the impact of his words and actions to him. But you can talk to each other. Talk to your children. Talk to your cousins. Talk to your friends. And, sure, like their posts on social media, too. But don’t for one second think it makes a lick of difference. Understood?

... In light of a bitter election, we magnify this problem by commenting on supporters of either campaign, protestors and others who are scared or angry via social media. We cannot understand them.

I suppose I have lived one of those fortunate lives, often more like an old Andy Hardy movie. I suppose we had our little dramas, but the holidays have always been a special time of coming HATCHER HURD together for us. Executive Editor hatcher@appenmediagroup.com On TV and in magazines there are endless experts warning about the stress of the holidays, the sturm und drang of family politics and even outright feuding. My family has mostly skirted all of that. Of course when the children marry, it requires some adjustment. Whose house will they go to for Thanksgiving and Christmas? Often simple geography will settle the question. Growing up in the same town, we never split into “our family” and “their family.” It usually ran to Thanksgiving at our house and Christmas at theirs, or vice versa. I was always content as long as the turkey and giblet gravy held out. Then there is the pleasant post-prandial drowse that comes in front of the TV set tuned into the football game of the moment. Science explained it as the amino acid tryptophan found in the turkey itself produces sleep-inducing chemicals that make it so hard to stay awake and listen to your brother-in-law. Then, as usual, science shoots a hole in that theory saying it does no such thing and that there is the same amount of the substance in any poultry. In fact there is more tryptophan gram for gram in cheese than in turkey. All of which is by-the-by to me. I don’t mind dozing after pizza either. I understand the stress, too. My Lady Wife is hostess this year to dinner for 10, and it has already begun to creep into her conversation. For instance, we were listening to Rod Stewart’s version of “As Time Goes By,” which is what I have always insisted as to be “our song.” I happened to mention a bit of trivia that the iconic theme song of “Casablanca” was almost cut from the movie. The Powers That Be, decided they wanted “a better” theme song. But Ingrid Bergman had already cut her hair for her next role in “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” so they could not reshoot the scene in which she asks Sam to play it again (I know, no one ever says, “Play it again, Sam.”)

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

My family Thanksgivings tend to be something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

So My Lady Wife turns to me and says, “How come you can remember something like that, but you can’t remember where to pick me up when I have a colonoscopy? “ I had to patiently explain I did not forget where exactly. It was simply that in this maze of office buildings, they all looked alike. So I had to call and get more explicit instructions, since apparently having a building address is sufficient unto the task and therefore it is unnecessary to actually put the number on said building. But I digress. I see it simply as incipient holiday stress and not nearly as bad as when we were first married. Our first Christmas morning together, she had risen early to begin preparations for company and was wound about as tight as a two-dollar watch. I happened to call to her from the bedroom that my ankle injury from racquetball that had been flaring up was now in open rebellion and that I could not get out of bed. (NOTE: Subsequent medical opinion would discover that this was not the rather glamourous sports injury that I could point to with pride. Instead it was a rather inglorious and pedestrian first bout of gout. And I might add that although it is a more prosaic ailment than a sports injury, gout is much more painful.) While my intense discomfort would

See THANKSGIVING, Page 9

COMMUNITY

Vietnam refugee tells Cumming veterans ‘Thank you’ FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A Lawrenceville woman who escaped South Vietnam before it fell to communist forces in 1975 came to Cumming last week to thank some American veterans for fighting for her country. Born as Tuong-Van Thi Nguyen, Van Marosek was only nine years old when she and 18 other members of her family fled together from Vietnam aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 from Tan Son Nhut Airbase. Her mother worked for the American Military Forces, and that would put her entire family’s lives in jeopardy of an impending bloodbath should North Vietnamese conquerors find them. Today, as a college educated mother of three married to an American, Ms. Marosek works as an interpreter around the metro Atlanta area. Ever since meeting a wounded and angry Vietnam Veteran when she was in high school, she has made it her mission in life, to thank every Vietnam Veteran she encounters. “I need to say thank you to them as much as they needed to hear it from me.” With members of the Cumming Vietnam Veterans Chapter gathered for their monthly meeting Ms. Marosek stirred emotions when she told the veterans, “So today, I just want to fully express my gratitude to you. To let you know the truly monumental impact you have on the Vietnamese people.” The Saigon native told the Cumming Veterans that she is here in America because of them. Keenly aware of the poor treatment U.S. military personnel received upon returning from military service in Vietnam, Ms. Marosek termed their service “admirable.” She

Thanksgiving: Continued from Page 8 not allow me to put the offending foot to floor, it did not engender the Florence Nightingalish concern I had expected from my loving spouse. Her words as I recall – and they are burnished into my brain as though with a red-hot iron – were: “No! No! No! I am not taking you to the Emergency Room. I do not have time for this!” I was about to reply that I would settle for help just to get to the bathroom, but I saw the way her pupils were so dilated as to be completely black. Instead I refrained from further comment, there being numerous sharp

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Vietnam refugee, Van Marosek, stood in front of Cumming Veterans to emphasize her gratitude for their service in her country. closed her presentation by telling her audience “you gave us not only a second chance at life but a second chance at life in the most fantastic country on earth.” Her words were clearly heartfelt and it was emotional for both her and her audience who responded with a standing ovation. objects in the house. Fortunately for all, our son-in-law was summoned, and I was transported, treated and released from the ER within a couple of hours. When I returned I saw that the vein in MLW’s temple was no longer throbbing and her pupils had regained their normal azure hue. I immediately made myself useful peeling potatoes, and dinner went off without a hitch. So if holiday stress begins to surface between the cracks, just remember Hatcher’s simple remedy. If things get too edgy to nap in front of the television, go hide out in the emergency room until things cool off. Failing that solution, I hear the Golden Corral puts on a great spread. Take everybody there and you don’t have to do the dishes or even peel the potatoes.

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10 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Photos by KATHLEEN STURGEON/Herald

Ground was broken Nov. 15 for Eagle’s Peak Park.

County breaks ground on Eagle’s Beak Park Phase I will feature a canoe and kayak river launch and nature trails FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Northwest Forsyth County will soon be home to a passive park encompassing 230 acres of natural habitats. Ground was broken Nov. 15 for Eagle’s Beak Park, located off Old Federal Road in Ball Ground. Completion of Phase I is expected in spring 2017. Phase I of the new park will feature a canoe and kayak launch on the Etowah River, nature trails, restroom facility and parking. The county purchased the bulk of the land for Eagle’s Beak Park in 2009 with funds from the $100 million Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond passed by voters in 2008. Other funding will be from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax VI program. Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills,

of District 4 where the future park is located, said it is “fortunate the voters had the vision to approve the bond that would give the county the much-needed resources to purchase this beautiful piece of property.” “Because of those funds, this land was able to be preserved and soon it will be able to be used by families to canoe on the Etowah River or walk on the nature trails,” Mills said. “It’s about time. We are grateful to have this beautiful park. I’m thankful the citizens see the need for it. We are able to preserve the land and sustain our quality of life. Parks and recreation is so much more than just playing ball.” Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Pryor said Forsyth County is well known for its park amenities, and the new park will only add to that reputation. “We’re expanding our service area by

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Forsyth County’s Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Pryor explains what will be at the new park. trails and boat launch to access the river. We are excited about this project coming to completion.”

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covering the north end of the county,” he said. His sentiments were echoed by Ryan Hogan who is the vice president of construction for Tri Scapes, Inc. which is doing construction of the park. “Being an outdoor landscape construction company we are very aware and in tune to the needs and aspects of a project like this,” Hogan said. “We are very confident we will build and deliver a project on time and with the quality and expectations the county and those that designed it have in mind.” The park will provide diversity beyond what a traditional park offers, he said. “We are all so plugged into each other and what’s going on in our world,” Hogan said. “It’s nice to have a place close to home you can go and unplug. This park will provide a great opportunity for that with the walking

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ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 11

Local man swims 11 miles across Lake Lanier John Fox raises awareness for water preservation By ZOYA ANSARI news@appenmediagroup.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — For John Fox, Forsyth native, the state of the Chattahoochee River was not just a communal issue, but personal as well. The water quality in the lake today, according to Fox, is in critical condition and needs to be fixed. Fox, who has been swimming and sailing on Lake Lanier from childhood, decided to raise awareness of the water’s state by swimming across the entire lake. “I had a concern for the preservation of the water in the area, and I just thought, what better of a way to help raise awareness of my concern of the water than through swimming in the water?” Fox said. The feat took nine hours to complete. “I followed a set of rules set forth in a marathon swimmers federation as a governing body. For the swim to be counted as nonstop, you can’t take a break on land or use floatation devices. My sister guided for me; every hour I would stop in the water, take a supple-

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ment and keep going,” Fox said. Fox partnered with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper for the swim. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization whose objective is the preservation of the waterway and its lakes and tributaries for the people and wildlife that depend upon them. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is also currently involved in the litigation between Florida and Georgia concerning the Chattahoochee River. “Florida is suing Georgia because of the low quantity of water that they are getting out of the river. It’s a problem because Georgia can only release so much, because it needs to encompass a major metropolitan area like Atlanta. But Florida needs the water too, as they are situated at the end of the river,” Fox said. With the trending Water Wars topic in the community, Fox had all the more reason to pursue his hopes of combining his athletic skills with the preservation of the river’s water. Although there are still improvements to be made, Fox has already noted progress with the lake’s water over the past few years.

John Fox swims as part of his nine-hour marathon across Lake Lanier, in hopes of raising public awareness of the water quality. “The quality of the water has shown improvement already; you now are required to have a holding tank on your boat,” he said. “When I was a kid, they didn’t have that, and people would just dump waste in the water. I have noticed littering has become more of a problem as the lake becomes more populated, and I believe that’s an aspect we really need to see improvement on.” Fox’s main hope is that the community will see the critical state the Chattahoochee River’s water is in from

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his long-distance swimming event. “I want people to really become aware of how important water is to us and how much we really use it, such as for drinking and watering plants,” said Fox. “We take those things for granted while we don’t realize that it’s got to come to come from some place, and that there are so many things you can do to become more conservative with it.” To learn more about Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and to get involved, visit chattahoochee.org.

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It will be a corridor from Encore Amphitheater to Alpharetta’s Big Creek Trail. Ann Hanlon, NFCID Executive Director 12 | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016

Encore Parkway Bridge opens for Black Friday North Point Mall’s ‘back door’ to Westside Parkway to open just in time for holiday shopping season

The North Fulton Community Improvement District is an infrastructure financing mechanism formed by committed business leaders who are dedicated to the advancement of the North Fulton region. This organization is funded voluntarily by commercial property owners within the district who dedicate additional property taxes to the NFCID, which stretches along Ga. 400 from Mansell Road north to McGinnis Ferry Road. Since its inception in 2003, the NFCID has invested $18 million to bring more than $90 million in infrastructure projects to the district.

By HATCHER HURD hatcher@appenmediagroup.com ALPHARETTA, Ga. – North Point Mall is ready as it anticipates Black Friday shoppers poised to descend on the biggest shopping day in the Free World. The good news for the mall is Encore Parkway Bridge will reopen in time to dissipate a large portion of mall traffic in the North Point area. The North Fulton Community Improvement District and the City of Alpharetta today announced the Encore Parkway Bridge will open to traffic Wednesday, Nov. 23. The bridge, which has been closed since Jan. 4

What is the North Fulton Community Improvement District?

for a major $18 million facelift, is the centerpiece of the Encore Parkway Corridor Project. According to the NFCID, the project will transform a local “cut-

Workers still have a lot to do to complete the bridge, but it will be open to motorized traffic from now on.

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through” into a signature east-west connection from the Big Creek Greenway to the thriving Westside Parkway corridor. The Encore Bridge project has grown since it was first conceived by local community and business leaders in 2007. The idea got kicked around, with the NFCID supporting it. The City of Alpharetta liked it for its stimulation of the Top Golf area. Then the project received a $4 million Livable Centers Initiative Grant. That really gave it legs. The revamped 4-lane bridge will be a major east-west artery in the North Point area along with Mansell Road to the south and Haynes Bridge Road to the north. “It will be a corridor from Encore Amphitheater to Alpharetta’s Big Creek Trail,” said NFCID Executive Director Ann Hanlon. During the holiday shopping season, only motorized traffic will be allowed. In fact it will be June 2017 before pedestrian and bicycle traffic is allowed. “But the bridge will remain open to vehicle traffic from now on. A lane may get closed, but the bridge will not be shut down after Nov. 23,” she said. Kerry Armstrong, North Fulton CID board chairman, called the project “a huge milestone that has been nearly 10 years in the making. “While the project is not yet fully complete, the bridge opening to traffic on time honors our promise

See BRIDGE, Page 14

BUSINESSPOSTS

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 13

Managing budgets in Choosing your home is a science; choosing your neighbors is an art form your small business You can find a million resources to help you choose the right home. But there is no real guide to finding the right neighbors. Brenda and I just moved our Geoff smith small family. It Assurance Financial, gsmith@lendtheway.com was the end of a search that really lasted a couple of years. Every year Brenda would bring up the subject, and every year I told her to wait until next spring – which is what I told her two months ago when she showed me the online pictures of the house we just moved into. There were a couple neighborhoods near downtown Roswell that she had been monitoring. And when this house came up, she put on the full-court press. I honestly didn’t take the house seriously for the first couple of weeks, but as you can now see, that quickly changed. The house is really pretty great and we are all thrilled. We bought it and went through the process of moving last weekend. Our locally-owned Best Deal Movers did a fantastic job, we already unpacked our boxes, the move-rush is over and now that we’re here, I’m looking at the neighboring houses, wondering: “who are these people?” We left a fantastic neighborhood called the Woodlands, great amenities and really great neighbors. When I stood looking out my front door, I could see 14 houses with children under the age of 12. It was insane for my 10 and 8-year old boys. Every day they got home from school and raced through their homework so they could go to the party in the cul-de-sac outside.

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We got along with everyone there too and made some lifelong friends. It was a hard place to leave. It’s funny that you never know who you are going to get for neighbors. When the boys were much younger we lived in another neighborhood that had all of the signs of an active and friendly place. We saw swing-sets in the backyards, sidewalks, and the HOA website talked about the annual social gatherings. But once we moved in, that place was like a ghost town. You’d have thought people there were allergic to outside

Cultivating the Desire to Learn

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Geoff Smith gsmith@lendtheway.com 770-674-1433 Personal: NMLS#104587 Business: NMLS#70876 *The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Assurance Financial Group

Are you beginning to plan out your budgets for 2017? Have you allocating enough money for the growth initiatives you have planned? Creating a budget that helps you manage cash flow and achieve your business dick jones objectives is a very Founder & President Jones Simply Sales important component in enabling growth for all small business owners. Budgeting is an essential process that small business owners can utilize to help them plan and forecast future revenue and expenses. Doing this allows them to make sure that enough money will be available to keep their business running, improve their competitive position in the marketplace and achieve their growth objectives. Creating an accurate and reasonable budget enables forward-looking planning and also allows specific financial targets to be set. Revenue budgets are an annual forecast of what will be sold, billed or collected. Every small business owner wants to grow sales, and it is not uncommon for them to arbitrarily set a revenue budget that is a certain percentage higher than the previous year. If they are not investing in sales improvement initiatives, this may be hard to come by. Maintaining the budget throughout the year is also very important. Identifying over and under-performing areas, both on the expense and revenue side, will allow you to adjust budgets before they are “out of control.” Creating and maintaining financial budgets is the cornerstone of managing a small business, maintaining cash flow, measuring performance and avoiding surprises. Spending the time to manage budgets will help you to more successfully grow your small business.

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In the Woodlands, all Samuel and Charlie had to do to get people to come outside was ride their bikes up and down the street. All I had to do was walk out with an open beer. My philosophy on interacting with my neighbors is pretty simple: I work hard all week helping my clients get financing to buy homes, volunteering for what Brenda says are too many things, and coaching my sons’ sports teams. When I come home, I’m just looking to enjoy my home and family. And it’s a lot more fun when my neighbors are wanting to do the same. We know some families in our new neighborhood and others close by. We look forward to setting up camp for the next 10 to 15 years, and we look forward to meeting those around us. From a financial perspective, I’m sure it’s the kind of neighborhood where values will appreciate and we’ll eventually make money on our house – the HOA is strong and updates the amenities, the neighbors all appear to take care of their yards, and it’s a long walk from the very popular Canton Street. But I started writing this Sunday morning. By the time I came back to edit it Sunday night, three different families came by with children to welcome us to the neighborhood. I’m going to try, but I don’t think there’s a good way to put a value on that.

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14 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

Roswell chiropractor receives President’s Award ATLANTA – Roswell chiropractor John Webster, D.C. received a President’s Award from outgoing president Edwin Davis, D.C. at the Georgia Chiropractic Association’s annual fall conference, Oct. 20-23 in Atlanta. “No one has more energy than John Webster,” said Davis. “Within a year, he’s signed up nearly 200 people for the association’s grassroots legislative efforts. We’re lucky to have him as such an active volunteer in our association.” Webster has been in practice 32 years, moving to the Roswell area in 2010 from his North Carolina home, where he served on the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He’s a 1983 graduate of Life University in Marietta. “Chiropractic is the next big thing,” Webster said. “I really believe that. It’s a gift that been given to us, and we need to take it to the masses.” The Georgia Chiropractic Association promotes a pain-free Georgia. For more information on GCA, visit gachiro.org.

Presenting the check, from left, are Lauren English and Bill Norman of Norman’s Landing to Martha McConnell, co-President of the Historical Society of Forsyth County, and John Salter, Treasurer of the Historical Society of Forsyth County.

Norman’s Landing donates to Historical Society of Forsyth FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Norman’s Landing donated a check for $1,521.69 to the Historical Society of Forsyth County. The funds will go towards helping out the restoration of the Sherrill House, a Native American Pioneer Museum. The Sherrill House was built ca.1900 in the Northwest corner of Forsyth County on Old Federal Road.

Bridge: Continued from Page 12 to businesses and residents of having the bridge accessible for the holiday shopping season,” Armstrong said. “We remain committed to delivering an ‘encore’ performance with a complete corridor by summer 2017.” The enhanced plan for the project

BUSINESSBRIEFS

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Three physicians join Laureate Medical Group ATLANTA — Three new doctors have joined the Laureate Medical Group, a practice which has been providing individualized comprehensive medical care to the community since 1962. Neurologist Christian Cabrera-Kang, endocrinologist DeAnna Henderson and internal medicine physician India Holloway are now part of the Laureate Medical Group. Cabrera-Kang is a fellowship-trained neurologist. His clinical interests include epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. Cabrera-Kang is accepting new patients at the Sandy Springs and Alpharetta locations. Henderson is a fellowship-trained endocrinologist. Her clinical interests include pituitary abnormalities, adrenal pathology and bone/calcium disorders. Dr. Henderson is seeing new patients in the Sandy Springs and Holly Springs locations. Holloway is an internal medicine physician who was elected in the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She is welcoming new patients at the Sandy Springs and Alpharetta locations. For appointments in Alpharetta, call 678-7752284; for Sandy Springs, call 404-256-8500 and for Holly Springs call 770-720-2221. Visit LaureateMed.com for more information.

Dr. Mian joins Perimeter North Family Medicine ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Perimeter North Family Medicine in Alpharetta has welcomed its newest physician. Dr. Haroon Mian, a board-certified family medicine physician has joined doctors Elizabeth Sergile and Kavitha Tellakula as well as certified nurse practitioners Virginia Bundy and Leslie Head at the mian Alpharetta office, 3400-A Old Milton Parkway, Suite 130 in the Northside Alpharetta

yields a wider bridge with dedicated bicycle lanes, sidewalks and a landscaped median. The $17.9-million project is jointly funded by the North Fulton CID, the City of Alpharetta, Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. The improved connection will serve those living and traveling in the growing commercial, residential and enter-

Medical Campus. “I’m looking forward to serving the wonderful people in this community with the excellent team here at Perimeter North Family Medicine,” Dr. Mian said. “Helping others and building great relationships with my patients is my main goal.” Mian is now welcoming new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 770-395-1130. For more information and additional locations, including Atlanta, Johns Creek, Cumming and Woodstock, visit pnfm.com.

Business receives national ‘Agency of Excellence’ award New Orleans, La. — Louise and Paul Lascik of Johns Creek, Ga. was recently recognized as a Travel Leaders’ “Agency of Excellence” award winner. A total of 23 out of hundreds of Travel Leaders locations throughout the United States were awarded. Louise and Paul Lascik is one of two agencies in Georgia to receive this distinction. Each Travel Leaders agency is scored in multiple categories that reflect business growth; utilization of marketing programs to effectively reach local consumers; participation in key training programs to enhance service to their clients; participation in local and national business networking meetings; and their overall promotion of the Travel Leaders brand, “Travel Better.” To learn more about Travel Leaders and the winners, visit travelleaders.com.

Judy Mozen wins ‘Remodeler of the Year’ OBIE Award ATLANTA — Judy Mozen, president of Roswell-based Handcrafted Homes, Inc., recently won the firstever “Remodeler of the Year” OBIE Award presented by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Mozen was honored for her 40 years of providing exemplary Mozen custom home design, construction and remodeling services to homeowners throughout metro Atlanta and the north Georgia mountains. The annual OBIE Awards, are the premier awards given in Atlanta to recognize outstanding achievement in new home building, home remodeling, marketing and personal achievement. The new Remodeler of the Year Award is a Personal Achievement Award. To learn more about Handcrafted Homes, Inc., visit handcraftedhomes-inc.com.

tainment areas along Westside Parkway and the Ga. 400-North Point Parkway commercial corridor. It will also serve the nearly 240,000 annual visitors who attend events at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The connection also creates the first east-west pedestrian/bicycle connection to Alpharetta’s popular Big Creek Greenway, said Aaron Wadley, the project manager for Atkins, the engineering company with oversight of

the bridge. “This is what we call a high-end project, with its bike lanes, pedestrian walks and a number of decorative finishes,” said Wadley. “But the quality development that has sprung up around it justifies those features.” The ARC’s LCI grant is paying for those “extra finishes” that make it a true “gateway project.” Those will become more visible in the coming months.

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 15

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2016

16 | November 24, 2016 | Forsyth Herald | ForsythHerald.com

CALENDAR

MUSIC, ARTS & THEATER:

LIBRARY EVENTS: YOGA FOR LIFE

ELECTRIFY YOUR STRINGS

Mark Wood, an original member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, will play with the Cambridge, Hopewell and Northwestern orchestras. The concert will take place Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Cambridge High School Theater on 2845 Bethany Bend in Milton. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. Tickets at the door are $20 for students and $30 for adults. All proceeds will go toward the participating orchestra programs. For more info and tickets, visit cambridgeorchestra.ludustickets.com or email cambridgestrings@gmail.com. Looking to get the word out about your event? Submit it to our online calendar at NorthFulton. com/Calendar.

EVENTS: MILTON TREE LIGHTING

What: Kick off the holiday season with this tree lighting, including musical performances, holiday shopping opportunities and a guest appearance by Santa. When: Saturday, Nov. 26, 6-7 p.m. Where: Deerfield Place Shopping Center, 13055 Ga. 9, Milton More info: cityofmiltonga.us

STARLAB

What: Come to the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s inflatable planetarium, “Starlab,” and have a front-row view of the autumn constellations. Learn how to easily locate the North Star, the Big Dipper, Orion’s Belt and more. Ages 6 and up. When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 1-2 p.m. Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell More info: chattnaturecenter.org

CHRISTMAS TREE AND DREIDEL LIGHTING

What: Enjoy the lighting of the Christmas tree and dreidel with traditional holiday music by local elementary school choruses and a special early appearance by Santa. A Toys for Tots drop-off will be available. When: Monday, Nov. 28, 6:30 p.m. Where: Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. More info: johnscreekga.gov

MILTON 10TH ANNIVERSARY

What: Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the city of Milton’s official incorporation. Food and drinks will be available. When: Thursday, Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m. Where: Broadwell Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road, Milton More info: cityofmiltonga.us

WEEKLY WEST COAST SWING DANCE What: Learn swing dancing or refine your skills at these weekly sessions with two sets of instructors. The first introductory lesson is free. When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 6-6:45 p.m. Where: American Legion Club 201, 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta More info: swinginvasion.com

JOHNS CREEK ARTS CENTER HOLIDAY SALE

What: Johns Creek Arts Center’s annual holiday sale features original, handcrafted, fine art gifts at affordable prices. Choose from handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings and prints by instructors as well as youth and adult students. When: Through Dec. 23 Where: Johns Creek Arts Center, 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Building 700, Johns Creek More info: johnscreekarts.org

AVALON ON ICE

What: Ice skate on the Rockefeller Center-sized ice skating rink in the plaza. Watch for theme nights and enjoy warm, tasty treats rink side. Enjoy special events throughout the season and sign up for ice skating lessons. When: Through Jan. 22, 2017, times vary Where: Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta Cost: general admission starts at $18 More info: experienceavalon.com

ADVENTURE TO SANTA

What: Meet Santa Claus in this immersive holiday experience. This season, the all-new attraction lets the family join Po and Friends for interactive games and an immersive, cinematic journey. Photo packages available. When: Through Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Where: North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta More info: awesomealpharetta.com

SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR

What: The tour will be showing indie film “6 Angry Women,” which follows the trial of a white neighborhood watchman who allegedly shot a young, unarmed black teenager. Mature audiences only. When: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7-10 p.m. Where: Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: roswellgov.com

WORKS IN CLAY HOLIDAY SALE

What: Art Center West studio’s annual holiday event offers handmade ceramic artworks for sale created by more than 40 members of Roswell’s Clay Collective. When: Through Dec. 7, times vary. Reception Dec. 1, 7-9 p.m. Where: Roswell Art Center West, 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell More info: roswellclaycollective.com

SENIOR FOLLIES CHRISTMAS SHOW

What: This year’s show features tons of family entertainment, from old TV Christmas specials to country Christmas, Christmas around the world and celebrating the troops in a USO segment. When: Through Dec. 4, times vary Where: Cumming Playhouse, 7030 Grassmoor Grange Way, Cumming Cost: $25 More info: playhousecumming.com or 770-781-9178

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

What: Come see the classic holiday musical about a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa and must prove his authenticity. When: Through Dec. 18, times vary Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta Cost: $20 for adults, $17 for children and seniors More info and tickets: act1theater.com

SYNERGY

What: Thirteen artists from the Brushwork Society of Atlanta will present their artwork in the 2016 exhibition. Enjoy a variety of paintings, including landscape, still life and figurative work. All are for sale. When: Through Dec. 30 Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell More info: thebrushworksociety.com

What: Lessons in using yogic techniques to deal with life issues. Includes group discussion and incorporates relaxation exercises, reflective reading, and meditation in addressing real life issues. Wear comfortable clothing. When: Friday, Nov. 25, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Where: Ocee Library 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek More info: 770-360-8897

LEARNING THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

What: Develop the poise and confidence to feel comfortable speaking in front of others. Members of the Alpharetta Toastmasters chapter facilitate. Storytime Room. When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2 p.m. Where: Alpharetta Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta More info: 404-613-6735 or michael. salpeter@fultoncountyga.gov

WRITING CLUB FOR CHILDREN

What: Writer and artist Julie Blair will teach children how to write creatively through journaling, stories, and poetry. Ages 8-12. Please bring a spiral notebook, pen, and a towel or mat to sit on. When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 4-5 p.m. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or laura.hoefener@ fultoncountyga.gov

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

What: Make a difference by volunteering at the Roswell Public Library. There are a number of opportunities for volunteers, including supporting programs and keeping our collections in order. When: Monday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m. Where: Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St., Roswell More info: 770-640-3075

GLOBAL THINKERS

What: Presented by the National English Honor Society, this class will teach children about current global and environmental issues through interactive stories and hands-on activities. Ages 6-10. When: Tuesday, Nov. 29, 4-5 p.m. Where: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library, 9560 Spruill Road, Alpharetta More info: afpls.org or laura.hoefener@ fultoncountyga.gov

ASTROKIDS

What: Children ages 5 and up are invited to join the group on a stellar adventure exploring the solar system and beyond. When: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. Where: Milton Library, 855 Mayfield Road, Milton More info: afpls.org or 404-613-4402

PET ADOPTIONS:

FORSYTH COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER What: Pet adoptions When: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Forsyth County Animal Shelter, 4065 County Way, Forsyth County More info: 678-965-7185

FULTON COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES What: Pet adoptions When: Every Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Where: PetSmart, 6370 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta Additional adoptions: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta More info: 404-613-4958

OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE: CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE

What: Experience gingerbread men flipping midair, toy soldiers marching on thin wires and so much more when this holiday stage spectacular returns to the Fox Theatre for two performances only. When: Nov. 23-25, 7:30 p.m. Where: The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets start at $45 More info and tickets: cirqueproductions.com

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER

What: Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is a holiday mash-up featuring a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ and a violinist that the entire family can enjoy. When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. Where: The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta Cost: Tickets starting from $25.50 More info and tickets: foxtheatre.org

VININGS JUBILEE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

What: Enjoy live music, delicious treats, dance performances, face painting and more during this tree lighting. Santa and the Vinings Express Train will make guest appearances. When: Thursday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m. Where: Vinings Jubilee, 4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta More info: viningsjubilee.com

CALENDAR

ForsythHerald.com | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016 | 17

Get outside Georgia:

A close encounter of the finny kind You’ve probably figured out by now that I enjoy fishing. I’ll grab just about any opportunity to get out on the water. Somebody asked me the other day why I STEVE HUDSON enjoy fishing so Get Outside Georgia, Chattahoochee Media Group much. That’s a fair question, and it’s interesting to try to come up with an answer. There are lots of angles to this one. I could answer with something intellectual-sounding … something like “because I enjoy learning about the ecosystems.” I could fall back on cliche and say “because fish don’t live in ugly places” (and that’s true). I could say … well, you get the idea. The possibilities are endless. But you want to know the real reason I enjoy fishing so much? Here it is: It’s because every trip is a unique adventure. That’s true! Last week, while I was down in Tampa, I had a chance to do a little saltwater fly fishing – something that I truly love to do. You never know what you’ll catch when you’re fishing in saltwater, and that was certainly the case on that trip. But the biggest adventure came not from an encounter with a fish but rather from an up-close-andpersonal meeting with four dolphins. And I do mean up-close! I’d been catching enough fish to keep things interesting, but mostly I was just enjoying the unseasonably warm day and the chance to do a little wade-fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Then I saw a fin. For a mountain boy like me, fins in the water tend to get the heart rate up while simultaneously pushing the “play” button on the trailer for the film “Jaws.” I didn’t need to worry, though. It wasn’t a shark fin. Instead, it was a dolphin fin – and not just one. The dolphin to which the fin belonged had brought friends. These particular dolphins (there turned out to be four of them) were apparently on a sightseeing trip of some sort, and the sight which seemed to interest them most was me. They came closer…and closer…and closer…till at last they were swimming no more than about ten feet from where I stood. Wow, that’s really close. I could have reached out and touched ‘em with the tip of my fly rod.

And dolphins are big. They’re much bigger there in the water, 10 feet away, than they are on TV. The dolphins swam back and forth, hither and thither as one might say, and seemed to be having a grand time. We didn’t get to do much conversing, since my knowledge of Dolphinese is pretty limited. But nobody seemed stressed. Nobody even seemed to be in any particular hurry. They just swam around, and I just stood there and watched. It was pretty neat if I say so myself. Eventually the dolphins decided to move on and disappeared just about as quickly as they’d appeared. I went back to fishing, and occasionally catching, and found myself wondering (in a moment of fancy) what they might write on the postcards they might send back to Dolphin Central that evening. “You won’t believe what we saw,” I could imagine them writing. “It was a fine specimen of a ‘Humanus fishermanius,’ though this particular exam-

ple seemed to be a little overweight. And he just stood there while we observed. Wait till you see the video!” Yeah. Well, dolphins, I got some video too. It impressed my kids to no end, and they’re all grown up now and don’t impress easily. Yes, you never know what you’ll find when you get outdoors. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy Georgia’s great Delayed Harvest trout season. Learn more about it in Steve Hudson’s comprehensive 84-page book entitled “Georgia Delayed Harvest Trout Guide.” Packed with info on access and tactics for each of Georgia’s DH streams, it’s available from local outfitters, on Amazon, or direct from the author at chattahoocheemedia.com.

18 | Forsyth Herald | November 24, 2016